Chaos of Ming 1628

It was extremely hot and humid in the imperial city.

The scorching heat of late summer did not diminish in the slightest; on the contrary, it intensified in this imperial city.

Wang Chengen led the way, followed closely by Sun Chengzong and Sun Qing, until they reached the Imperial Study.

The strong scent of ambergris could not mask the pervasive stench of sweat. Even in the imperial study, where Emperor Chongzhen was still inside, not a single block of ice could be seen.

The Imperial Household Department had already cut its expenses to the bare minimum, just to save that little bit of money.

After being informed, the two entered.

Upon seeing the two, Emperor Chongzhen's face instantly darkened.

Especially upon seeing Sun Qing, he let out a soft snort: "Sun Qing, you're quite the big shot! I can't very well punish you."

"You really know how to win people's hearts!"

Upon hearing Chongzhen's words, Sun Qing's expression remained unchanged, and he calmly replied, "Your Majesty, what crime have I committed?"

"Outrageous acts of disobeying the imperial edict and inciting rebellion!" Emperor Chongzhen did not hesitate for a moment and directly pointed out these points.

Sun Qing smiled faintly and asked again, "I have not."

"I don't believe it!"

Chongzhen snorted coldly, and when he looked at Sun Qing again, it was as if he were looking at an idiot.

He said slowly, "Sun Qing, I had you arrested not to hear your explanations."

Sun Chengzong, who was standing nearby, heard the emperor's words and his face immediately darkened. He couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, there's more to these matters than meets the eye."

"This old minister went to Hejian Prefecture and conducted a thorough investigation and questioning, and thus understood the whole story."

"I just realized that things are not that simple."

Looking at Sun Chengen, Chongzhen's expression was indifferent, and he casually said, "Grand Secretary Sun, there are many things you don't know. Sun Qing is guilty."

"His crimes are unforgivable!"

Hearing the emphasis in his voice, Sun Chengzong remained standing, showing no emotion whatsoever: "After some investigation, this old minister has learned that under Sun Qing's leadership, Hejian Prefecture is able to be self-sufficient, relying solely on local resources to complete disaster relief and security without the help of the imperial court."

"The drought is now raging in Shaanxi and Shanxi, leaving the land barren and countless people starving. People are fleeing the famine everywhere, and peasant uprisings are rising up in various places, which has become a major headache for military strategists."

"Sun Qing not only managed Hejian Prefecture well, but he was also able to stabilize the tens of thousands of disaster victims who came from all over the country."

"Everything he did was to reduce the troubles of the Ming Dynasty."

Sun Chengzong paused slightly, then slowly raised his head to look at Chongzhen: "So, Your Majesty, is sharing Your Majesty's burdens what they call rebellion?"

Emperor Chongzhen's face flushed red.

He did indeed write a letter, vehemently criticizing Sun Chengzong for his lax management of the household, which had produced a traitorous son, to the point that he ordered Sun Chengzong to personally go and arrest Sun Qing.

Unexpectedly, upon arriving at the palace, Sun Chengzong came to question him in return.

Emperor Chongzhen sneered: "Grand Secretary Sun asked a very good question. Of course, that's not how it's done."

Whether it is true or not is not important; what is important is that Chongzhen hoped it was true.

However, he couldn't say outright that he wanted to get 100,000 taels of silver from the head of the company, and that he would be guilty if he didn't get it.

After a slight pause, he said coldly, "What I hate most is that he dared to disobey the imperial court's orders, defy the imperial decree, and even dared to slaughter the imperial envoy."

Upon hearing this, Sun Qing couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Looking at Sun Chengzong's pale face, he asked indifferently, "His Majesty ordered this sinful subject to produce 100,000 taels of silver, but to be honest, I really don't have it."

"If I give it to you, the entire Hejian Prefecture will once again be plunged into famine."

"Your Majesty's original order to me was to protect Hejian Prefecture and ensure the peace of its people. I am simply following your command."

"Your Majesty, the two imperial edicts conflict. What should I do?"

Sun Qing spoke calmly, but his words were far more impactful than Sun Chengzong's.

Sun Qing didn't talk about right or wrong; he just wanted Chongzhen to know that if he dared to ask me for money, he would dare to cause chaos in Hejian Prefecture.

"You!" Emperor Chongzhen was furious, but he had no choice but to retaliate.

Sun Chengzong looked at Sun Qing with slight surprise, then lowered his head and remained silent.

"You scoundrel!" After a moment, Chongzhen calmed down from his anger and sneered, "So you dared to lead the people in rebellion, and even dared to lay a hand on the men I sent?"

When this was mentioned, Sun Chengzong's eyes instantly turned sharp.

His fists clenched suddenly, and he gritted his teeth: "Your Majesty, that Wang Zaijin is simply settling a personal score."

"Your Majesty's decree was not conveyed to Sun Qing at all. Furthermore, because the refugees were blocking the road, he initiated a massacre of them!"

"Your Majesty, please tell me, whose fault is it?"

The last shred of patience in Chongzhen's eyes vanished.

He doesn't care about right or wrong, he cares about the result.

The imperial court lacked silver and grain, but Hejian Prefecture had them.

The atmosphere in the hall became heavy as Chongzhen remained silent.

Seeing this, Wang Chengen did not hesitate any longer and immediately walked outside.

The doors to the Imperial Study closed, and figures moved about outside.

Neither Sun Qing nor Sun Chengzong were fools. They exchanged a glance and both could see what the other was thinking.

Emperor Chongzhen is about to take action.

"Your Majesty," Sun Chengzong said gravely, "what is the meaning of this?"

Emperor Chongzhen, too lazy to continue playing the emotional card, took a step back and sat back down in his chair.

As he sat on the rosewood chair carved with dragon heads, leaning slightly back, his gaze swept over the two kneeling figures.

An aura of imperial dominance, surpassing all others, swept over us: "Grand Secretary Sun, I know you are a man devoted to the country."

"But you see, the Ming Dynasty is in trouble. And what I need are people who can serve the Ming Dynasty."

"Sun Qing dared to expand Hejian Prefecture without authorization, which is tantamount to treason. I have no need to argue about right or wrong. Today, what I really want is Sun Qing's head."

The last word landed with the force of a thunderclap.

Sun Chengzong swayed slightly.

"Heh," Sun Qing sneered, turning to look at Sun Qing: "Well? You've seen it too, is the truth what His Majesty wants?"

Sun Chengzong's face was completely drained of color, his eyes filled with pain. After all, who would want to see the person they served in such a state?

"Your Majesty, Sun Qing is a member of the Sun family, and moreover, he is the grandson of Sun Chengzong."

"There is absolutely no way a member of the Sun family could be a traitor. I believe in this child, and I believe even more that what he has done for the Ming Dynasty can withstand the judgment of the world!"

"Bang!" Emperor Chongzhen slammed his hands on the table, leaning forward slightly. "Judging from what you're saying, Grand Secretary, are you going to oppose me for his sake?"

Sun Chengzong stood there, his beard and hair gray, but his back was still ramrod straight.

Emperor Chongzhen gave a cold laugh and said slowly, "Grand Secretary, I know that you have always wanted to serve the country."

"Sun Qing's crimes were heinous, and the Grand Secretary personally captured the traitor, a truly meritorious act."

"In the future, I would like to ask Your Excellency to go to Hejian Prefecture to take care of the people there."

This pie is huge.

If Sun Chengzong is willing to pretend to be deaf and dumb, he will not only be able to regain his original position in the future, but he will even be able to hold the fattest piece of meat in the Ming Dynasty.

Sun Qing narrowed his eyes slightly.

He looked spiritually towards Chongzhen.

It must be said that this emperor, who was only seventeen years old, was indeed quite shrewd. He went straight to the heart of the matter and grasped what Sun Chengzong wanted most.

Sun Qing noticed a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

Panicked, Chongzhen wanted to use official positions to challenge family ties, but Sun Qing knew that there was no kinship between him and Sun Chengzong.

The atmosphere became even more tense.

"Alas!" Sun Chengzong suddenly sighed, his eyes shining as he looked at Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, even in my wildest dreams, I long to return and serve my country!"

"So, Your Excellency knows exactly what Sun Qing did?" Chongzhen asked with a playful smile.

Sun Chengzong laughed and shook his head: "This old minister knows. After I go to Hejian Prefecture, I will know everything."

"Furthermore, I know that someone has meticulously recorded everything that happened, in great detail, so that the world can comment on it."

"What!" Emperor Chongzhen stood up abruptly.

His eyes held not only shock, but also a surging killing intent.

He wanted to kill Sun Qing, but now Sun Chengzong told him that as long as something happened to Sun Qing, the truth would be revealed to the public.

What Sun Qing did was to save the people.

Killing him would be tantamount to extinguishing all hope for the people.

If we really did that, would the people still be willing to follow the Ming Dynasty?

"Very well, very well indeed!" Chongzhen's voice trembled with anger, almost bursting out from between his teeth: "Sun Qing is a member of the Sun family. Since the entire Sun family is loyal and righteous, why doesn't he serve the court?"

"Grand Secretary Sun, I have carefully reviewed the strategies you sent, and I truly find them extremely ingenious. Now that the border is unstable, would you be willing to go there?"